Projects blooming at school

Green-fingered pupils at Greystone Community Primary School in Ripon have been busy brightening up its outdoor area with plants.

Members of the boys’ gardening club, using plants and pots donated by F Tate and Sons (Larkhill Nurseries) of Ripon and helped by two school governors and teaching assistant Marjorie Swan, have planted-up hanging baskets and tubs in the schoolyard.

Assistant headteacher Victoria Kirkman, who runs the club, said: “Our Student Voice group – made up of a boy and girl from each year, Years 1 to 6 – said we needed to improve the aesthetic vision of the school.”

Miss Kirkman, who joined the school in January, said the gardening club was just one of many initiatives taking place at the school.

Other activities which have taken place recently include:

• The setting up of a Greystone mixed netball team promoting working together and team building, which had balls and bibs donated by Helen Mackenzie – head coach of the Ripon Rockets Netball Club;

• As part of British citizenship lessons, former soldier Antony Went representing Help for Heroes – who was left relying on a wheelchair after being injured – visited to talk about the trials and tribulations of life;

• For World Book Day in March, children dressed as their favourite literature characters and read stories.

Miss Kirkman said: “Our ethos is ‘believe and achieve’. It’s so nice to see the children working together as a Greystone family.”

As well as the teaching staff, the school is supported by 10 volunteers who help in lessons, support pupils’ reading and help on group trips.

“We’re very lucky to have them,” said Miss Kirkman.

“We appreciate fully their time and effort in coming to help improve our school vision – parents, governors and the community share the vision.”

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